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Wells at Dearborn

by J.J. Tindall

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lyrics

Wells at Dearborn

1. Alexander at Kandahar

Kandahar was founded
By Alexander the Great
During his questionable Afghan campaign,
As one of a series of fortresses established
To protect him and his armies
As he pursued the Persian Satrap Bessus

Pressing the eastern edge of his envelope.

At each of these fortresses, he left behind
Thousands of Macedonian and Greek soldiers:
Logistics and supply troops, builders,
Artisans, tillers, every type of worker needed
To create a real settlement.

The Greek biographer Plutarch described
The type of guerrilla-style fighting
Alexander faced during his campaign,

Comparing Afghan tribesmen
To a hydra-headed monster:
As soon as Alexander cut off one head,
Three more would grow back in its place.

By 2018 U.S. Army, Marines, Navy &
Air Force were there with Canadians, Belgians & Italians.
Mirages from France, Tornadoes from Britain,
Private contractors to clean toilets, run mess halls
& gyms, train bomb-sniffing dogs, service phones.
A Nathan’s, TGI Friday’s, a KFC,

An ice cream stand, pizza by the slice.

2. Wells at Dearborn

During the War of 1812,
The Great White Father
Pressed the western edge of his envelope.
Captain William Wells
Of the Legion of United States,
Led a group of Miami warriors

From Fort Wayne, Indiana,
To aid the evacuation of Fort Dearborn,
The tiny, beleaguered settlement

That eventually became Chicago,
Presently besieged by hostile Pottawatomi.
No Nathan's, No KFC,
The mirages and tornadoes indigenous.
Among other Americans under siege there
Was his niece, Rebekah.

The Pottawatomi
At first allowed them safe passage out,
But upon discovery

Of destroyed whiskey and guns,
They decided to attack.
Wells, himself raised by Miami Indians,

Was once their colleague.
Now, he was a traitor to them.
Knowing of the looming raid,

Wells painted his face black,
A sign of bravery and a signal
To his foes

That he knew their intent
And knew
He was going to die.

He set out on horseback
In front of the fleeing party.

The Pottawatomi
Shot and killed him,
Scalped him,

Cut out his heart
And ate it.

Although considering him
An enemy, they respected
His strength and courage

And in this way
Believed they could absorb it
Into themselves.

credits

released April 11, 2024
Track written, performed & recorded by J.J. Tindall. Video directed by J.J. Tindall.

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J.J. Tindall Oak Park, Illinois

J.J. Tindall is an internationally acclaimed poet, musician & recording artist. Photo Heather Charles/Chicago Tribune.

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